Accuracy of definitive casts using 4 implant-level impression techniques in a scenario of multi-implant system with different implant angulations and subgingival alignment levels

• Published in: Implant dentistry Vol. 22; no. 3; p. 268
• Main Authors: Martínez-Rus, Francisco, García, Carmen, Santamaría, Andrea, Özcan, Mutlu, Pradíes, Guillermo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.06.2013
• Subjects: Acrylic Resins; Analysis of Variance; Dental Implantation, Endosseous - methods; Dental Implants; Dental Impression Technique - instrumentation; Dental Models; Dimensional Measurement Accuracy; Humans; Metals; Occlusal Splints; Reproducibility of Results; Statistics, Nonparametric
• ISSN: 1538-2982
• DOI: 10.1097/ID.0b013e3182920dc5

To evaluate the effect of various implant-level impression techniques on the accuracy of definitive casts for a multiple internal connection implant system with different implant angulations and subgingival depths. Six tapered Screw-Vent implants were placed in a reference model with different angles (0, 15, and 30 degrees) and subgingival positions (0, 1, and 3 mm). Twenty medium-consistency polyether impressions of this model were made with 4 techniques (n = 5 per group): (1) indirect technique, (2) unsplinted direct technique, (3) acrylic resin-splinted direct technique, and (4) metal-splinted direct technique. Impressions were poured with type IV dental stone. The interimplant distances were measured for casts using a coordinate measuring machine and the deviations compared with the reference model were calculated. Data were analyzed using intraclass correlation coefficient, ANOVA and Bonferroni test (α = 0.05). Four impression procedures showed significant differences (P = 0.0001). Only group 4 casts showed no significant differences in comparison with the reference model (P = 0.666) (ANOVA repeated measures). The impression procedure affected the accuracy of definitive casts. The metal-splinted direct technique produced the most accurate casts, followed by acrylic resin-splinted direct, indirect, and unsplinted direct techniques.